Mommy Brownies

Ingredients

Brownies

• 1 (19 1/2 ounce) package fudge brownie mix (family size for a 9 by 13 inch pan, I used Betty Crocker brand)
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder or 3 tablespoons instant coffee
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon extract (find it in the baking aisle near vanilla extract, etc. or use 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon)
• 1 cup cappuccino chips (could use chocolate chips)

Frosting

• 1 (16 ounce) container milk chocolate frosting (Again, Betty Crocker to the rescue)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon extract (or use 2 tsp ground cinnamon)
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (can use packaged chocolate chunks)

Garnish

• confectioners' sugar (optional)
• grated dark chocolate (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F Line 48 mini muffin cups with paper liners. If you don't have mini muffin pans, bake them in a standard 9-by-13 pan and then cut them into small pieces after baking.

2. 2

   Dump brownie mix into a large bowl. Mix water with espresso powder and stir in along with the oil and eggs. Add the cinnamon and chips stirring until just combined. Note - I used cappucino chips since that's what I had. Semi-sweet chocolate chips would work or cinnamon chips if you can find them.

3. 3

   Divide the batter equally among the muffin cups. Each will be about 2/3 full. Using a cookie scoop makes this a little easier. Or transfer all the prepared batter into a 4-cup measuring cup and pour from the spout.

4. 4

   Bake for 12-14 minutes. (adjust baking time if using a cake pan - see box for directions). The toothpick test will be unreliable to judge done-ness since these are gooey. At 12 minutes, press lightly on the top of one - it should have some spring to it if done. Mine did take the full 14 minutes and my oven runs hot.

5. 5

   Remove to a rack and cool completely.

6. 6

   Stir the cinnamon, ginger and chocolate chunks into the frosting. Dollop a generous amount on top of each cooled brownie bite. Don't be stingy!

7. 7

   Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Grate a little more dark chocolate on top.

8. 8

   Store in the fridge and hide them from the kids. ;-).